Happy Thursday TV fans!  After watching the FX network’s American Horror Story:  Apocalypse season 8 episode 4 last night, I realized that hell can literally be your own personal nightmare.  Whether that means standing in a line for eternity like in Supernatural or working a customer service job in a department store, there are plenty of scenarios to go around.  While this doesn’t sound so bad compared to a hell filled with fire and despair, stacking towels can be quite monotonous.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “Could It Be … Satan?” we get a detailed flashback into Mr. Langdon’s past and learn a lot more about the rivalry between witches and warlocks.  Meanwhile, we opened the door to another season of AHS and got to see some of our old favorite characters once again.  Episode 4 continued to have some fun Easter eggs and even made a reference to one of my favorite television series of all time.  Did you catch it?  My top 5 moments from American Horror Story:  Apocalypse season 8 episode 4 are:

5

“Bad news bitch.  You’re back from the dead.”

After the return of some of our favorite witches from Coven, Mallory is surprised to be alive again.  Madison tries to snap her back into reality, but Cordelia explains to Mallory, Coco, and Dinah, that an identity spell was cast on them for protection.  This explains why Mallory felt like some other force or being was inside her when she was interviewed by Mr. Langdon in the prior episode.  We also get a detailed flashback to the past and fans were delighted to hear the familiar Coven theme music play when the camera zoomed in on the “Academy of Exceptional Young Ladies.”  I was excited to see the return of Zoe, played by Taissa Farmiga, who was busy training some new witches.  Mallory stood out as her absolute favorite and we learn that her ancestry line goes all the way back to Salem.  While we know a little bit about Mallory’s ancestry, Madison hints at Dinah’s when she says it is linked to that “backwards voodoo shit,” which could mean she comes from Marie Laveau’s line.  We don’t receive too much information on Coco’s former identity yet, however.  It is important to note that this is not the first time that a hint has been thrown around that Mallory is unique and extremely powerful.  Is she a match for Michael Langdon?  I’m not sure, but she may be the key to everything and I’d be happy to have her assemble or dissemble a bouquet of flowers for me anytime.

4

“I didn’t know that was inside of me.”

During episode 4, we get a detailed flashback into Michael Langdon’s past as well.  While I originally thought that Ms. Mead could be based on Constance Langdon, we quickly learn that she was based on a woman who murdered her previous husbands and worshipped Satan.  While we don’t know what happened to Constance just yet, it’s safe to say that her return might shed some light on this for us.  Even though Constance was not around to be a guiding mentor for Michael, he clearly loved the woman who Ms. Mead is based on very much.  Michael explains that she never betrayed him and his powers began emerging when he was trying to protect her honor after a rude Butcher refused to apologize.  While Michael’s actions are beyond extreme, his heart had initially been in the right place.  Michael’s powers seem to be more than he might be able to handle, however.  During this episode, we also meet several warlocks who come across a tape of Michael’s abilities and witness him brutally killing someone with his mind.  The tape reveals that Michael was in room 237, which is significant to fans of the film, The Shining.  We get a glimpse into the “Hawthorne School for Exceptional Young Men” and are pleasantly delighted when one of the warlocks tells a tardy student that he might end up doing magic tricks with Neil Patrick Harris if he doesn’t take his studies seriously.  Neil appeared briefly in Freak Show so this is a fun throwback to him.  When Michael is at the academy, the warlocks put him through several tests and he passes them all with flying colors.  He is even able to turn water droplets into snow, which starts out beautiful, but almost turns deadly, revealing that his powers may be out of everyone’s control.  While one of the warlocks recognizes that his powers are malevolent, the others are more concerned with having a true match for The Supreme, but at what cost?

3

“Because I’m The Fucking Supreme.”

Members of the Coven are called to the Hawthorne Academy for an emergency meeting of sorts.  The warlocks explain that they have a male student that might be more powerful than a Supreme.  Cordelia, Zoe, and Myrtle initially seem doubtful, explaining that “no man has ever approached the level of Supreme.”  The warlocks ask Cordelia to administer the “Test of the Seven Wonders,” but Cordelia is more than hesitant to do so.  Cordelia reminds us about what happened to Misty, who died because she wasn’t truly ready to face the Seven Wonders.  Cordelia doesn’t want that fate for anyone else and is even further upset when the warlocks bring up Queenie.

2

“Solitary it is.”

While fans knew that we would get connections to Coven and Murder House, the link to Hotel was a delightful surprise.  We all remember “Hotel Cortez” all too well and recall that Queenie was trapped there back in season 5.  Cordelia explains that she tried everything to help save Queenie, but that “Hotel Cortez,” was “an entryway to all things dark.”  She further explains that they went through every door and window numerous times, but could not find a way for Queenie to escape.  Cordelia even compares it to a “Hellmouth,” which is a fun reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is one of my all time favorite shows.  I mean Buffy did say “If the apocalypse comes, beep me,” and we have arrived there for sure on AHS.  We know that vampires have resided in “Hotel Cortez” and this is also significant because Buffy is known as “The Chosen One” and the warlocks are convinced that Michael Langdon is his own kind of chosen one, known as an “alpha.”  The idea of an “alpha,” brings us back to Marvel again, as we know that there are “alpha” mutants who are considered to be the most powerful.  We also get to say hello again to James March, played by Evan Peters, who is passing his time in eternity by playing cards with Queenie.  When Michael Langdon later shows up to do what Cordelia could not, March recognizes his power and realizes that his card partner has gotten her own “get out of jail free card.” 

1

“No, but I have a fucking name tag.”

After Michael Langdon rescues Queenie, he explains that they have one more stop to make.  Madison has been living out her own personal hell, which involves her wearing a name tag and working in customer service at a department store.  This is absolutely hilarious because we know that Madison is not in the business of serving anyone other than herself.  As if arguing with customers over her celebrity status wasn’t bad enough, Madison is horrified when her manager is called and she is forced to stack and organize the towels.  Poor Madison.  Madison immediately recognizes that Michael Langdon does not belong here and propositions him all too quickly.  Queenie hilariously says that she is “a hoe even in the afterlife.”  Michael Langdon interrupts their reunion to explain that he needs them both to prove a point.  Michael shows up at the academy with Madison and Queenie and Cordelia is more than shocked, passing out at the sight of them.  Michael has completed tasks that a Supreme could not, so what does this say about his power?  Even though we know he is beyond strong, we can’t ignore the fact that his powers are based in darkness.  Overall, this episode had a lot of fun Easter Eggs and references to doorways and other realms, which reminds us that this is not the last crossover or link we will see during the season.  Stay tuned!

P.S. fun fact:  Cordelia is also the name of one of the main characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on American Horror Story:  Apocalypse below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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